Earnhardt Wins Title, Martin Wins Race

Dale Earnhardt won his fifth NASCAR Winston Cup title by finishing fifth, and Mark Martin won his first race in more than a year in Sunday’s Hardee’s 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Earnhardt had only to take the green flag to win the driver’s points title, worth $1 million.

Ricky Rudd regained the second spot in the point standings by finishing 11th, six spots ahead of Davey Allison, who had electrical problems and lost seven laps in fixing them. Rudd finished four points ahead of Allison, the difference being worth $105,000 in point money.

Martin, who had not won in 33 races, dating to Sept. 30, 1990 at North Wilkesboro, N.C., dominated at Atlanta in his Ford Thunderbird, beating second-place Ernie Irvan by 10.5 seconds as he led seven times for 190 laps, including the last 48.

Martin earned the 12th victory of his career and was the 14th different winner in 29 races this season, equaling the NASCAR record set in 1988 and tied in 1990. He won $88,950 and averaged 137.968 m.p.h.

Irvan was second, Bill Elliott third and Harry Gant fourth.